Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Today's Special -- Shana Galen

We are thrilled to have historical author Shana Galen joining us today. As a busy mother and frequent blogger at The Sisterhood of the Jaunty Quill(an author blog site) Shana keeps her readers coming back for more with her stories of intrigue and romance. Her latest novel, THE ROGUE PIRATE’S BRIDE, will be released on February 7, 2012, and boy is it a good one (check out Buffie’s review here). Please give a warm welcome to Shana Galen.

Shana, thank you for joining us today. Let’s jump right in. Please tell us a little bit about your newest release, THE ROGUE PIRATE’S BRIDE.First of all, thank you for having me!

The Rogue Pirate’s Bride is the third in my Sons of the Revolution series, but it can be read as a stand-alone. It’s the story of Bastien, one of three brothers who are separated as children during the French Revolution. Bastien is a pirate, though he prefers to be called a privateer, and he is seeking revenge against a Barbary corsair who betrayed and murdered his mentor and father-figure.

Raeven is the daughter of a British Admiral and she also wants revenge. Bastien killed her fiancé, and she’ll do anything to avenge his death. It’s an exciting book with sword fights, chases, naval battles, and of course, a happy ending.I really enjoyed reading Bastien and Raeven’s story, as you could tell from my review. There just something about a pirate, a man living life by his own rules. I absolutely love pirate books, but there seems to be a small quantity of them. What made you decide to write one?

I’ve always wanted to write a pirate book. Like you, I love pirates and can’t ever find enough books featuring pirate heroes. One of my favorite books ever is Marsha Canham’s THE WIND AND THE SEA. The hero isn’t a pirate, but the heroine is a pirate’s daughter. I started thinking about writing a book where the heroine is as knowledgeable and experienced in naval matters as the hero, and that was the beginning of the idea for THE ROGUE PIRATE'S BRIDE.

Several scenes in the book are set around Gibraltar. Did you visit the area to conduct research?
I can only hope to visit one day. I had to research online, but my sister was working in Morocco at the time, so I was able to ask her lots of questions about North African cities and markets.

While most historical romances have English heroes, Bastien is a man of French heritage. Did you consciously make an effort to write a non-English hero? And by chance are you of French descent?
For whatever reason, French heroes are not that popular with readers, so I definitely didn’t make a conscious effort to write one. The smarter move would have been to write a British or Scottish hero, but that wasn’t the book idea I had. I have always loved the period of the French Revolution, and I wanted to explore the ramifications of a revolution like that. Bastien fled the revolution as a boy and signed on as a cabin boy on the first ship he found. It turned out to be a pirate ship. The men on board became his family. He had no other family because he thinks they all perished in the Revolution.

No, I’m not of French descent. I’m Dutch and German.

I have to say that I found a French hero very refreshing. And Bastien is one hero that will have all the girls swooning!

Other than your family, who has been your greatest supporter during your writing career?

I’d have to say two people, Tera Lynn Childs and Christina Hergenrader. Both are writers and both have been there for me for the good times and the bad. Most authors go through periods when they think they might never sell another book, and both of these friends stood by me and encouraged me to keep writing during that period for me.

It is so nice to have such moral support from people in the profession.

I love the show Inside The Actor’s Studio, which is hosted by James Lipton. I enjoy the questions he ask every actor on his show and find I’m always fascinated by the answers given. Therefore, I’m going to ask you a few of Mr. Lipton’s usual questions.

What’s your favorite word? It changes, but lately it is sonorous.

What’s your least favorite word? Sucks, as in “This sucks.”

What sound do you love? Silence. I don’t get much of it.

What sound do you hate? My daughter’s crying. It must be instinctual in mothers. It doesn’t bother me when other kids cry, but when mine starts crying, I cringe.

What profession other than yours would you like to attempt? I have always wanted to work with animals, so maybe I’d be a veterinarian or run a shelter.

Now on to our Quick Six Questions.Early bird or night owl? Early bird, definitely.Mexican or Italian food? Tough. I think Mexican. I live in Houston, and we have great Mexican food.Beach or mountains? Beach. The sound of the waves is relaxing.Chocolate or peanut butter? Why not together? Chocolate over peanut butter, unless they’re together or caramel is involvedHeels or sneakers? Sneakers.Silver or gold? Silver.

Since THE ROGUE PIRATE’S BRIDE was the last in the series, I’m sure you must be working on something fabulous. Please tell our readers what is up next for you.
I’m working on a new series about three glamorous courtesans in Regency London. They become involved with some dangerous diamonds and some equally dangerous men. It’s been a lot of fun to write and is action-packed. The first book comes out in September, and it’s titled WHEN YOU GIVE A DUKE A DIAMOND.

Wow, that sounds like another fabulous series. But, of course, that is what we expect when we pick up a Shana Galen book. It has been such a pleasure having you with us today. Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule.

Dear reader, Shana would love to hear your response to the Quick Six Questions she answered in our interview. So are you an early bird or a night owl? Do you prefer chocolate or peanut butter? Come on, answer those six questions and let's get to know each other a little better.

Thanks to Shana, two random commenters will win a copy of THE ROGUE PIRATE’S BRIDE.

This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY.

~ Buffie

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Shana Galen is the author of numerous fast-paced adventurous Regency historical romances, including the Rita-nominated Blackthorne’s Bride. Her books have been sold worldwide, including Japan, Brazil, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and the Netherlands, and have been featured in the Rhapsody and Doubleday Book Clubs. A former English teacher in Houston’s inner city, Shana now writes full time. She’s a wife, a mother, and an expert multi-tasker. She loves to hear from readers: visit her website at www.shanagalen.com or see what she’s up to daily on Facebook and Twitter.

106 comments:

Shana, I now have the first 2 books in the series to catch up on, but I have already read and loved Lord and Lady Spy, and waiting to read more of those also.

I've always been a nite owl.Half Italian so of course love eating it. Love getting to the beach to chill out and relax.Definitely chocolate, all kinds.Prefer comfort, so I'm usually sneakers or sandals.Live silver usually over gold.

Shana, I am still sighing over Armand. :) Love that man. And I'm waiting to read Bastian. Always loved reading about Pirates.Of course I have to read Julian's story as well. :)Quick six:I'm an early birdItalian so it's what I grew up eating-Love it.Love the Beach, warm balmy breezes.Chocolate, especially with raspberrySneakers these daysPlatinumCarol LLucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

Oh, love me some pirates! One of my favorites is Marsha Canham's ACROSS A MOONLIT SEA. It's on my keeper shelves. :-)

Chocolate? Yes, please. Peanut Butter? Absolutely. And the two together? Mmmm. Caramel, toffee....love it all. All this talk of sweets is killing me. I've started a new "clean eating" plan. No processed foods allowed. I'm hoping it gets better in a few days. *sigh*

I'd prefer to indulge my night owl side, but I have to get up to make sure the kids get off to school in time every day.

Love Italian and Mexican, but since my hubby is half Italian and we lived in Italy for 2 years, I have a soft spot for good Italian food.

I live in the mountains, and I find so much peace here. But I do love the sound of the ocean.

Heels are nice, but I prefer sneakers or bare feet. Although, I do love my cowboy boots. :-)

Oh I am totally a night owl when I can be. So much of the time, I have to get up in the morning for something. But left to myself, my alert clock clicks on after 2230! hahaLove them both, but I cant do really hot spicy. Beach for sure. Love Shanas answer to chocolate/pbutter. If forced to choose, it would be chocolate. But I do love them together!Sneakers.Silver.I also adore Actors Studio and his questions! I love his interview style. And the people seem to take it seriously! Love the way they treat the students. And often, the final comment is profound! No idea what sonorous means, I will look it up.But I also dislike the word ''sucks'' used that way.

I can't believe that French heroes are not overly popular! And yet, what about those Three Musketeers -- and L. A. Meyer wrote about some wonderful charming and heroic French men in MY BONNY LIGHT HORSEMAN (I just love this series!!),hmmmm...this is not easy!! Didn't Anne Stuart write about an aristocratic family in the 18th century (and their descendants) in her RUTHLESS, RECKLESS, SHAMELESS series? At least the series began in France! I guess there are not too many romance novels with French heroes --this should be rectified!! :-)I look forward to reading Shana Galen's newest book!!And for my answers!! (Drum roll!)I used to be an Early bird, and then I had two sets of twins who never slept. I am now recovering, (they are all in college now!) and am waking much earlier to begin my day! I enjoy Italian food and we have a preponderance of fine restaurants in our area since there were many immigrant settlers here in the past century. I am very fair and sunburn (too quickly!) so I prefer the mountains where it is much more shaded and cool; Chocolate and peanut butter together, can't have them separated (Love those Reese cups)!! With the running around I still do, sneakers are the first things I reach for, although I love to dress up in high heels to look pretty and sexy for my husband. And I love white gold or silver. It looks best with my coloring, too.Happy February everyone!! --Laurel

Love the interview. Can't wait to read this book. Thanks for sharing with us today!

Here is my quick six:

early bird- I have to be, I have small childrenMexican- cheese and onion enchiladas!!!Beach-I live on the Oregon coast! So I have to pick thisChocolate-there is no other choice!sneakers-I almost killed myself falling down stairs in heels at my sisters wedding!Silver-Thats all I wear! Or white gold

Thanks for having me, Gannon. No processed foods? I could not survive. I microwave everything. I'm such a horrible cook, sometimes I even mess that up. In my defense, i do have a toddler clinging to my leg half the time. That tends to make me forget crucial parts of the cooking process.

Gayle, basically only British and Scottish heroes are popular with readers. maybe the occasional American. But it's hard to write books where the characters have a background in the French Revolution without making them French!

LSUReader, a Molina's just opened near us, and I can't wait to try it. There used to be one near the school where I worked, but I haven't been in so long. Have to remind my husband Valentine's Day is coming.

Thank you so much, Cathy. It does seem like Mexican is cheaper, doesn't it? I know when I was a new teacher, the other newbies and I used to go out for Mexican on Friday afternoons because we could fill up on the free chips and then split an entree.

Barbara, I was in Florida recently, and I noticed there was a lot of seafood and Cuban food but not so much Mexican food. Also, the Starbucks didn't have pumpkin scones. The barista told me those are only at Thanksgiving. Here we have them all Fall and winter.

So sorry I'm late to the party. Had to pick my youngest child up from school as he was sick. I just got in from taking him to see an after hours doctor. Possible strep throat ... we will know more after the lab work.

Katie, I haven;'t been to the Olive Garden in so long, and all of a sudden I want to go. My dad loves it so much, he asked for a gift card to it for Christmas. LOL!That's the closest we get to real Italian in my family.

Shana, Congratulations on the release of THE ROGUE PIRATES BRIDE. Now I can read the series. I prefer to wait until I have all the books in a series before reading it. It keeps the characters and the story arc fresh. Plus, I am not a patient person. Waiting for months between books is not something I like.

Pirate books can be such fun, it is too bad there aren't more of them. Of course, in real life they were a pretty despicable group of people. But this is fiction and romance, so we can make our pirates just what we want them to be.

Quick six:Night owl, always have been.I like both Mexican and Italian, but I think I'll have to go with Italian.Love the mountains. Throw in a lake and I'm in heaven.ChocolateSneakersSilver

Shana, I just buy 2 books you write and I can't wait to read it!!!Early bird.Italian.Mountain, soo cold and peaceful!Chocolate! I'm the one fans of choco.Heels, sounds sexy.Gold because more expensive and eternal than silver.

Hi Shana, thank u for this giveaway, This is awesome :)Have to admit, that I haven't read any of your book. But I'd love to read it. My friends told me that your books very recommended to read.

And about the quick six questions,Early bird of courseItalian food, pizza is one of my favoriteMountains, I can't swim :DPeanut butter, I'm not a big fan of chocolateHeels, last time I wore sneakers when I was 18 years old and it's like hundred years ago :DSilver

Librarypat, I never understood waiting until all the books in a series were out until I started watching Downton Abbey. I missed the first season and watched it all in a couple of days online. Then I started season 2 on PBS. It's KILLING me waiting for the next episode. I should have just waited and watched the whole series at once. So now I understand!

I'm definately a night owl and love to stay up late reading after a hectic day at work.

Since I'm married to an Italian and he gets homemade Italian dinners most nights you might be surprized that my favorite is Mexican! I went to the University of Ariozna and fell in love with Mexican food. My heritage is English, Scotish and German so my dinners are diverse and different every night.

I love the beach and we live in a beach community but I like to "get away" form the rat race when the tourists descend in the summer and escape to the mountains!

I wish I could "love" chocolate but I'm a juvenile Type I diabetic so it's peanut butter or nothing for me!

Heals or sneakers? Neither - I like to wear "flats" or go bare foot!

My favorite is gold. I have three but have been married to my "first" (and only) husband for 42 years. I have the wedding ring he gave me the day we got married and one he gave me for our first anniversary. I also inherited my mother's wedding ring which I also wear. I tell everyone the 3 rings are circles of love that I'm wearing!

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